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Somalia: Declining humanitarian access exacerbates extreme food insecurity

Estimated food security conditions, 3rd Quarter 2008 (July-September)

Generally Food Secure
Moderately Food Insecure
Highly Food Insecure
Extremely Food Insecure
Famine
No Data

Favorable Conditions
Somewhat Favorable Conditions
Short Term Dryness
Drought
Severe Drought
Humanitarian Concern

Extreme Event
Heavy Snow
Heavy Rain
Flooding
Blowing Dust
Extreme Cold
Extreme Heat

Geographic data are partly derived from the UN/FAO GAUL system. Read Disclaimer

West Africa

Nigeria

09/19/2008

The performance of the 2008 growing season has generally been good throughout the country. After a late onset of rainfall, abundant and well distributed rai ... more
- The performance of the 2008 growing season has generally been good throughout the country. After a late onset of rainfall, abundant and well distributed rainfall covered most areas of the country in August. The heavy downpours compensated for moisture deficits and accelerated crop growth.
- Household food security has improved following the gradual improvement in rainfall, the availability of seasonal crops such as potatoes, legumes and fruits, and an increase in rural employment opportunities. Access to food remains, however, a challenge for most poor households, who are subsistence farmers with low purchasing power, due to a continuation of high food and non-food prices.
- In the most likely scenario, rainfall is abundant and well distributed and extends to mid October, except in localized areas of the far North. Fodder and water are available for animal consumption and newly harvested crops arrive in the markets at the end of October. As a result, food availability improves and prices drop. In food deficit areas, the combined impact of production shortages and high food costs will result in moderate food insecurity during the hunger season.
- In the worst case scenario, the harvest is compromised in most parts of the country, and food production is significantly reduced following rain failures and flooding. Water and pasture conditions deteriorate, pushing livestock prices down and forcing herders to migrate southward earlier than usual. Poor households will shift to remittance funded market purchases as soon as December, instead of May/June as in a normal year. Meanwhile, poor urban household’s access to food will be constrained by the combined impact of high prices and increased unemployment.
Nigeria Country Center
Burkina Faso | Chad | Mali | Mauritania | Niger | Regional Center

Southern Africa

Mozambique

09/16/2008

In general, in the southern and semi arid areas of the central region, poor households have little or no remaining food reserves. In some areas of Zambézia, ... more
- In general, in the southern and semi arid areas of the central region, poor households have little or no remaining food reserves. In some areas of Zambézia, Sofala, Tete, Manica, Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane provinces, food distribution or cash transfer programs are needed until the next major harvest in March 2009.
- Although the increase in maize prices is following the normal seasonal trend for this time of year, both the rate of increase and price levels are much higher than the five-year average (2003-2007) and the same period last year. For example, In Beira and Nampula, July maize prices were 95 and 80 percent above the average and 95 and 84 percent above the same period of last year respectively.
- The forecast for Mozambique during the first half of the season (October 2008 – December 2008) includes near-normal to above-normal rainfall for the north and much of the central region and near-normal to below-normal for the entire southern region and small portion of the central region. For the second half of the season (January 2009-March 2009), the northern region, north of central region and the whole south have an increased chance of receiving near normal to above-normal rainfall, while parts of central have an increased chance of receiving near-normal to below-normal rainfall.
Mozambique Country Center
Malawi | Zambia | Zimbabwe | Regional Center

Caribbean

Haiti

09/02/2008

Tropical Storm Fay passed over the southern part of Haiti on August 15 and 16 led to heavy rainfall and seven confirmed deaths. Fay did not significantly im ... more
- Tropical Storm Fay passed over the southern part of Haiti on August 15 and 16 led to heavy rainfall and seven confirmed deaths. Fay did not significantly impact the agricultural sector, with the exception of localized damage to banana, fruit, and bean crops. Given predictions for above average rainfall and hurricane activity over the next three months, more severe flooding is expected later in the hurricane season (June to November).
- The spring harvest in July and August was average overall. International market conditions have not led to a significant drop in the consumer price of rice, a staple food consumed the most in Haiti. In mid-August 2008, its retail price had increased by about 42 percent in Port au Prince compared to April, due to the rising price of fuel, the end of subsidies on imported rice, and the declining exchange rate, among other reasons.
- Programs being implemented to respond to the current food crisis (refocus on national agricultural production, food aid distribution, labor projects, support to schools for the new school year, etc.) are sufficiently diverse, but remain too limited to meet the immense needs of the country. This is particularly true in the most affected areas, including the semi-arid Northwest, Northeast, the island of Gonave, and the Grande-Anse, and in urban areas. The total number of people affected by the crisis remains at 2.5 million.
- Given the current food security situation, it is recommended that the Government, donors, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders: 1) increase and intensify response activities to the current food crisis, targeting areas most affected; 2) immediately strengthen agricultural development programs, especially those focusing on alternatives to imported cereals, such as sweet potatoes, for which packaging techniques are well underfoot; and, 3) strengthen the coordination, monitoring and performance evaluation of development programs and crisis response operations.
Haiti Country Center

East Africa

Djibouti

09/03/2008

The food security situation is alarming in all of Djibouti’s livelihood zones due to four consecutive poor rainy seasons and high staple food prices. These f ... more
- The food security situation is alarming in all of Djibouti’s livelihood zones due to four consecutive poor rainy seasons and high staple food prices. These factors are leading to significant reductions in poor household food consumption in both rural and urban areas and contributing to child malnutrition rates which are above emergency thresholds. About 341,280 people, 54 percent of the population, are currently in need of emergency food assistance.
- In addition to serious food access issues, both urban and rural populations are facing severe water shortages. In urban areas, these shortages have resulted in water rationing.
- Although Djibouti plays an important role as a regional trade hub, a role that is vulnerable to civil unrest, a lack of coordination and transparency is hindering the provision of assistance by the donor community.
Djibouti Country Center
Ethiopia | Kenya | Somalia | Sudan | Tanzania | Uganda | Regional Center

Central America

Guatemala

09/17/2008

While the April to August hunger season continues and prices for basic food staples have increased, the food security situation remains relatively stable for ... more
- While the April to August hunger season continues and prices for basic food staples have increased, the food security situation remains relatively stable for this time of year. Sowing of primera staple cereal crops is progressing well, although pest- and flood-related damage was reported in July in the southern parts of the country and along the east and northern coast, respectively. Normal to above-normal rains this quarter threaten lives and livelihoods, including health conditions as well as infrastructure. Given such conditions, approximately 1.9 million people are currently food insecure.
- In the most likely scenario, October to December, rainfall is expected to be normal to above-normal, with probable floods and landslides. The incidence of diseases, such as dengue, respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, is expected to increase. Cereal prices will have stabilized with the primera harvest (August-September), although basic food basket prices will remain above normal. Approximately 1.9 million people will remain food insecure.
- In the worst-case scenario, October to December, at least one tropical storm or hurricane would occur, resulting in the loss of postrera basic grains crops as well as agro-industrial products. The reduced availability of food and demand for agricultural labor in affected areas will have a significant impact on the food security of the poorest households. In addition, storms or hurricanes will damage or destroy infrastructure and productive assets, and health conditions will deteriorate. Limited food availability at the market due to floods, combined with a continued increase in global prices, will push basic food prices beyond the purchasing power of poor households. In this scenario, the number of people food insecure will increase to over two million people.
Guatemala Country Center

Central Asia

Afghanistan

07/28/2008

Satellite imagery of irrigated areas in northern Afghanistan indicates that current conditions represent the most severe drought to affect the country since ... more
- Satellite imagery of irrigated areas in northern Afghanistan indicates that current conditions represent the most severe drought to affect the country since 2000. This, coupled with high food prices and ongoing conflict, has contributed to deteriorating food security. In response, the Afghan government and United Nations have jointly appeal for USD 400 million in order address emergency needs. Funding the food security component of this appeal is essential to prevent a humanitarian crisis.
- Summer temperatures are above normal, causing increased water evaporation and affecting water availability for autumn planting, particularly for winter wheat. Provision of improved seeds and chemical fertilizer is recommended in areas where water availability is ensured.
- Retail wheat prices remain significantly higher than both last year’s prices at this time and the five-year average, but have fallen in the past month as a result of the recent wheat harvest, anticipated imports from Pakistan, and promised donations from Russia. These lower prices will temporarily increase food access, but purchases of winter food stocks will begin to drive prices higher with a few months.
Afghanistan Country Center

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Djibouti	09/12/2008
Drought, high prices
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Insecurity undermines humanitarian access

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